South Carolina Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in South Carolina

In South Carolina, there are 83 continuing care retirement communities. These can be found in the following regions: Augusta, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach. Specific towns in which you can find such retirement communities include: Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Rock Hill, Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Sumter, West Columbia, and White Rock.

In today's world, reaching senior age and wanting to keep living independently has become the norm. With continuing care retirement communities, older adults can do just that, with a plan for living their golden years on their own terms. These communities allow residents to enjoy a lifestyle that is both active and independent, without anxiety about future healthcare needs.

Continuing care retirement communities in South Carolina offer lifelong access to a continuum of care within the same campus, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. Some of these communities offer additional levels of care, such as respite care, short- and long-term rehabilitation, hospice care, day care, etc. All residents begin with independent living, making the transition to a higher level of care as their needs become different.

Admittance into CCRC is based on meeting several criteria. Residents must be over a certain age, usually 55 or 62, with a reasonable state of health. In other words, they must be able to live and function independently. As for the financial eligibility, prospective applicants must be able to cover a substantial entrance fee, followed by monthly fees to cover regular expenses.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in South Carolina - financing and costs

Are you thinking about moving into a retirement community that offer a continuum of care? If the answer is yes, you should start by planning your finances. Entrance fees can reach high values in South Carolina, usually between $80,000 and $750,000. To cover such a substantial fee, you might consider selling your property and using the respective funds to finance your CCRC spot. Alternatives include savings, diverse assets, and retirement funds.

In terms of monthly fees, South Carolina seems to be one of the more affordable states. These fees can start as low as $1,500 and rise to $3,000 in regions such as Columbia and Greenville. By comparison, the national average is around $2,500. It is worth mentioning that these fees are necessary to cover not only the access to healthcare, but also to the on-site services and amenities. If the respective CCRC has no equity buy-in, then you can expect such fees to be higher. Also, the higher the level of care, the more expensive living in a CCRC becomes.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in South Carolina - care levels and services

The first level of care is called independent living. Residents choose a living unit and they move into the retirement community, maintaining the same lifestyle as before. The advantage lies in having all these services and amenities on campus. As they age and health needs change, they can transition to assisted living, where they will also receive assistance with daily living activities.

For residents who have complex healthcare needs, as well as increased demands for personal assistance, the skilled nursing care level is advisable. Within this level, residents can benefit from supervision and assistance, as well as medication/treatment administrations. Last, but not least, there is the memory care level, where residents who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are treated with respect.

To transition to a higher level of care, residents must present an obvious need, either for healthcare or personal assistance. Regular assessments are useful in this sense, as they allow the staff to determine whether a resident can keep living independently or not. Sometimes, the need for transition is obvious, especially with the older residents. Transitions are temporary or permanent, and they are always decided to protect the senior adult from potential age-related risks. Permanent transitions might be recommended in case of major health events, such as stroke.

What kind of services are offered on the campus? All residents benefit from housekeeping, grocery shopping, and errands. Other services include: general maintenance, 24/7 security, meal plans with customized diets, Internet, cable, telephone, guest admission, linen and laundry service, transportation to/from appointments, grounds keeping, emergency call system, etc.

CCRC in South Carolina - amenities and options

Retirement communities of this kind welcome senior adults who are looking to maintain an independent lifestyle, allowing them to choose between different types of housing units (apartments, townhouses, cottages, villas, etc.). Couples can continue to live together for as long as their health allows it, and they remain on the same campus, even when the care level differs. Pets are allowed on some campuses, but it is recommended to inquire about the pet-friendly policy first.

South Carolina CCRCs offer a wide range of amenities, so that residents can live in the way they want, without worrying about chores such as housekeeping and maintenance. Amenities include: restaurant-style dining, health club access with fitness classes, chaplain and worship services, walking paths, gardening spaces, lounge, arts and crafts studios, swimming pool, billiard and game room, salon and barbershop, library, tennis court, golf course, etc.

What are some positives and negatives of moving into a CCRC in South Carolina?

Just because you have reached senior age, this does not mean you should no longer enjoy life. South Carolina CCRCs have a lot to offer, both in terms of healthcare and pleasant living. Here are a few pros and cons to help you decide on your next step.

Pros of moving to a CCRC in SC

Most CCRCs are located in scenic locations, with plenty of greenery and water features

Plenty of opportunities to socialize, so you will never feel alone or isolated

No need to handle house chores and general maintenance

The value of comfort is undeniable, everything is offered on the same campus

Transitions to higher levels of care according to one's healthcare and personal assistance needs

Cons of moving to a CCRC in SC

May find it difficult to adjust to the new environment and its potential restrictions

Some residents find the predictable schedule to be boring, not stimulating enough

Visits are allowed but some senior adults find the distance from their own family to be unbearable

Expensive entrance and monthly fees might make moving into a CCRC just a dream

Might feel afraid to make the big change and give up on your old lifestyle